Page 63 of Family (Academy of Misfits 3)

“What fucking bad news, Carmichael!” Camden shouts.

Ford steps closer, placing a hand on Camden’s arm but he shakes it off. “Tell me now or so help me…!”

“A body was found of a middle-aged woman. She was wearing a necklace with two diamond hearts…” Mr Carmichael says, his voice sombre. Like Camden, I hear the words but can’t quite comprehend them.

No! Not his mum.

“Wait, what are you saying to me?”

“Your mum’s dead, Camden…” Mr Carmichael says, the heavy weight of sadness slumping his shoulders.

Time stills. I can’t breathe. I can’t move. I can only look on helplessly as realisation dawns on Camden’s face.No. God, no!

“Wh-what?” he stammers, disbelief and shock the only reaction he’s capable of having right now. Eastern’s grip tightens on my hand, but I barely register his bone-crushing hold. “Say that again…”

Cal steps forward, resting his hand gently on Camden’s shoulder. “We need you to go to London with Mr Burnside to identify the body. Hudson has sent a car. It should arrive within the hour.”

“How do you know it’s her? It might not be her…” he rambles, shaking his head, not wanting to believe what he’s hearing. I watch in horror, my feet stuck to the ground, unable to move as Camden begins to unravel before me.

One thought enters my head…This is my fault.

I took a knife with the intent to kill my father and this is the King’s retaliation.

“This is my fault,” I hush out so quietly that I don’t think anyone heard me.

“Her dental records match the body found. I’m sorry,” Mr Carmichael continues.

“No,” he breathes out, wobbling on his feet. He takes a stumbling step forward. “No, you’re wrong. Mum isn’t dead.” But there’s no conviction in his words, just a bottomless sadness that opens up beneath him. All the colour drains from his face, filling the void beneath his feet.

“No,” I repeat, echoing his words, my knees giving way too. Eastern hauls me into his side, and I find myself hanging on to him for dear life.

“I’m sorry,” Mr Carmichael repeats, reaching for Camden.

“It isn’t true. You’re fucking lying!” Camden spits, shaking his hand off. Tears brim, hovering on his lashes as he begs Cal and Mr Carmichael with his eyes. My fucking heart breaks, seeing him switch between disbelief and desperation.

“I’m sorry, son,” Cal says.

Sorry.

Sorry.

Sorry.

Their apologies fall from their lips like the tears that drip from Camden’s eyes. I watch them track a path over his flawless skin, feeling numb.

I shoulddosomething.

You’ve done enough already, a dark little voice inside my head retorts.

Bile rises up my throat and I’m forced to gulp it down, to swallow the guilt and the pain because that’s the least I deserve.

I did this.

“I wish I could tell you it isn’t true, Camden, but I can’t,” Cal says.

“NO! It’s not her. I don’t fucking believe it,” Camden shouts, swiping at his face.

Cal glances at Mr Carmichael who nods. “The body was found yesterday on the banks of the River Thames. Hudson only called us today after the autopsy had taken place. He wanted to be absolutely certain.”

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